THOMAS HARDY
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
When Tess Durbeyfield’s poor, working class family find they may be related to the wealthy D’urbervilles who now occupy the mansion nearby, they send her to seek her fortune, with tragic results. This famed story is in classic Hardy tone. Be ready to cry – and possibly get a bit annoyed.
A Pair of Blue Eyes
Elfrida’s father does not approve of her love interest; he thinks Syepehen Smith is below her and encourages her instead to encourage the approaches of Henry Knight. In the end, both lose out. Years later, they each return to claim her hand. But will they be too late?
The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid
Cinderella shall go to the ball. Margery happens upon a nobleman and saves him from taking his own life – in return he grants her a wish. She wants to go to the ball, which he duly arranges. But the consequences are ruinous for both…
The Hand of Ethelberta
Four suitors pursue the hand in marriage of the eligible and beautiful Ethelberta. But is she who she seems? And will they find the truth before betrothal? A rare comedy from Hardy – but can he really offer a happy ending or will Ethelberta’s naughty ways catch up with her?
Thank you for joining us! We hope you enjoy Thomas Hardy’s classic Tess Of the D’Urbervilles
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Why not check out our unique presentation of A Christmas Carol. Presented by a superb cast of actors including Chris Connel, Kate Braithwaite, David Sterne, Lainey Shaw and Leslie Ash, and narrated by Alex Boorman, you can watch or listen to our BookStreamz version. There’s also a free copy of the book to download and read.
This a great way to enjoy the story and particularly good for students to watch online.
Scrooge gets a visit from the ghost of Christmas future… take a peek at our trailer for A Christmas Carol
THOMAS HARDY
Born in 1840 in Dorset, Thomas Hardy is one of the most famous British Classics authors. As well as a novellist, Hardy was a published poet and also trained as an architect. His works are known for their tragedy and Hardy, as a romantacist, was also deeply interested in the nature of relationships and the social impact of class. Many of his novels are set in the semi- fictional area of Wessex, which covers his home countty of Dorset as well as Devon, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Hardy’s most famous works include Far From the Madding Crowd, Tess of the D’urbervilles, The Mayor of Casterbridge and Jude the Obscure. But he wrote 18 full novels plus one which was destroyed (for fear it would damage his reputation) and many short stories. His books often invited controversy and many of his lesser know works are more daring than many would think! And here’s a fun fact, in one of his early books (available here for you to download) , Hardy included a scene that was responsible for the coining of the phrase “cliffhanger”. Have a read of a Pair of Blue Eyes (which is also said to be in part a reflection of his courtship of his wife, Emma Gifford).
For fans of period drama, Hardy’s books are full of sweeping enigmatic characters, ripe for screen translation – but don’t expect happy endings, Hardy’s most famous story telling trait is tragedy – and he delivers it is spades
– The Story Sofaaa
Thomas Hardy’s Wessex is a bit like the moors of Wuthering Heights; sweeping and desolate, pretty and quaint. It has all the feels. Some of his female charcaters are beyond tragic and his heroes can be infuriatingly obtuse – but nevertheless you will be hooked by his tragic romanticism
– Elaine Sturgess
Awesome gem discovered
Can’t go wrong with Mr Hardy – first class
Rustic tale of romance narrated in Hardy’s beautiful style
